to the ground with his hands at his
throat.

But the man lay so motionless in his grip that there was no need to
take his life. In falling backward, his head had struck a stone, and
he was senseless. As soon as Joe realized this he let go of him, and
whispering to his companions:

"Quick--quick--run!" he darted off with them at his heels.

Not trying to pick their steps, they plunged through the darkness as
fast as they could, slipping, stumbling, tripping, yet keeping on
desperately, for they knew not if the whole camp might not presently be
upon their heels.

There was a stir among Charnace's sentinels and a calling to one
another, but none of them knew in which direction the fugitives had
gone, and after some aimless scurrying about they gave up all idea of
pursuit, and settled down to quiet again.

Meanwhile, the three had continued their wild flight until their breath
was spent, and then they threw themselves down to recover it.

"All right now," said Joe, nodding complacently. "We see no more of
them," and he was quite correct. They were now beyond Charnace's
lines, and could pursue their way in a more leisurely fashion. The
break of day found them far down the shore and drawing near an
encampment of friendly Indians. From these Joe had no difficulty in
obtaining a good canoe, and a supply of provisions, and by noon they
were out on the Bay of Fundy, watching for the _Clement_.

The weather was fine, and Raoul keenly enjoyed dancing over the
white-capped waves in their buoyant craft, which Joe and Jean managed
with such matchless skill. They did not expect him to paddle, and so
he stretched himself out in the bottom of the canoe and took his ease,
the excitement and exertion of the past night having pretty thoroughly
tired him.

For some hours no sign of the ship appeared, and then, as the afternoon
drew towards its close, Joe's keen eyes descried a sail showing above
the horizon to the southward.

"Good!" he grunted, and with a sweep of his paddle he turned the canoe
in that direction.

"You paddle now," he said to Raoul, and the latter obeyed. Propelled
by the three blades, into which the paddlers put their strength, the
light craft bounded over the water towards the ship.

"Oh! I hope it is the _Clement_" said Raoul. "We shall be just in
good time."

Mile after mile they swept along, until Raoul's arms began to ache, and
his breath to become scant, but Joe and Jean were pegging away as